Is memorytogo good ram?

I'm looking into buying extra ram for my friend's iBook. I noticed memorytogo is very cheap: only $38+shipping for a 512mb stick. I've never read anything about them in these forums. Are they a reputable dealer? Is it safe?

I'll second the recommendation of Data Memory Systems. I've purchased RAM from them several times, and can say only good things about them. They've got great prices, and guarantee compatibility. They might cost a little bit more than some of the bargain companies, but I think that it's worth it. You get the added security of buying from a reputable company, knowing that it's guaranteed to be compatible, and can also get a lifetime warranty.

Staff Member

Always check a vendor's listing on Reseller Ratings...they don't have a lot of feedback, and it's so-so. But the flip side is to take these things with a grain of salt...it's easy for one of a few disgruntled customers (or even a competitor) to influence the results. And people with a bad experience are much more likely to speak up than those with a good experience.

MemoryToGo also has a 25% restocking fee for refunds, which is pretty high. I'm not saying that's a reason not to buy from them...just be aware.

I can't even find the deal you're talking about on memorytogo.com--the all the iBook 512MB modules I see are at least $56, where the two standard "quality on a budget" RAM vendors recommended here, OWC and DMS, both sell the same for $49.

Even if I could find the deal, I probably wouldn't consider it worth the $10. Not that Memorytogo doesn't look like a decent business (their site is a lot more attractive than DMS's, that's for sure), but it comes down to three things:

1) 25% restocking fee on returns vs. 30 day money back guarantee.
2) In the unlikely case of warranty replacement you pay to ship the memory back to them, then they send you a replacement. DMS and OWC both have lifetime *advanced* replacement guarantees, and at least in the case of DMS I know they send you a prepaid mailer to return the bad RAM along with the replacement.
3) I quote from their warranty policy:

Quote

2. SYSTEM REVISIONS Revisions to your computer that cause memory that was working, to stop working, are not covered under our warranty and return policies. We only guarantee the memory to work under the conditions for which the memory was first sold.

The following customer changes are examples that will void our replacement/return warranty (this list may change without notice) [...] changing your firmware [...]

Click to expand...

What that means is that if Apple releases a new firmware update that makes the computer more picky about RAM and it stops recognizing their modules (and this *has* happened in the past--it's not a total hypothetical), you're out of luck. When there's been an issue with this in the past, both DMS and OWC publicly stated that they stand by their products in the event that this occurrs, and will replace the RAM under warranty (though that, as far as I know, is not generally necessary since they both use quality chips).

Thanks for all the answers guys. The "firmware" insight was helpful, Makosuke. I will take a look at OWC and DMS. The ram in my macbook is the $150 special from Newegg and it works fine so far.

In searching for iBook compatible ram on Newegg's site, I noticed they offer a wide selection. Here is a list of the available 512MB 200-Pin DDR 333 (PC 2700) SO-DIMM. If you have any thoughts on which one might be best, or which ones to watch out for, your advice is greatly appreciated.

Most of those will *probably* work, but Crucial, Kingmax, and maybe Corsair are about the only three I'd seriously consider.

Further, given that you can get the same from your choice of two different reliable vendors, both of whom offer RAM expressly guaranteed to work in your Mac, money back guarantees, and lifetime advance replacement guarantees in case of failure, and some small degree of tech help if it isn't working, I'm still not sure why You'd go that far out of your way to save $5 or $10 on RAM that you'll probably be using for years.

But, if money is that tight, the chances are MOST of the brands you listed will work, but unless they guarantee Apple compatibility, there's no way to be sure (Macs tend to be pretty picky about RAM, and not always in ways that are immediately obvious).

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.